But the holding midfielder has shrugged off the criticism and is adamant he will get better with time.

He said: “I have no doubt there’s much more to come from me. I know where I can get to as a player, I will get better. I know that. I would like to ask the fans to have a little patience with me. It’s still a little new for me.

“It’s been a good challenge got me because obviously football over here is very quick, much quicker than the other countries I’ve played in. But I think I’ve progressed a great deal. I feel very comfortable and I’m so happy here. I feel welcome at Villa.

“The Premier League is a different style of football but I expected that, it’s box to box and 100 miles per hour. In Spain you have more time.”